Your iPhone has access to over 70 language dictionaries already built-in and you can use any of these languages in Spotlight search. We’ll teach you how to easily enable these dictionaries so that you can use other languages when searching on your iPhone.
Why You’ll Love This Tip
- Find text in images and messages in other languages by activating more dictionaries in your Spotlight Search.
- Discover how to ‘Control/Command-F on your iPhone in multiple languages without third-party apps.
How to Add iPhone Dictionaries to Spotlight Search
System Requirements
This tip was performed on an iPhone 17 Pro Max running iOS 26.3. Find out how to update to the latest version of iOS.
When you search on an iPhone using Spotlight Search, you can find apps, files, photos, text messages, and so much more. Adding dictionaries allows you to conduct searches in other languages to find content that you wouldn’t be able to search for in English or using the Latin alphabet. Don't forget to check out our free Tip of the Day for more great tricks and tutorials. Here’s how to add a dictionary:
- Open Settings.
![Open Settings.]()
- Tap General.
![Tap General.]()
- Select Dictionary.
![Select Dictionary.]()
- Tap on the language you wish to download and wait until you see a checkmark left of the language name.
![Tap on the language you wish to download and wait until you see a checkmark left of the language name.]()
- Go back to General.
![Select Keyboard.]()
- Select Keyboard.
![Tap Keyboards at the very top.]()
- Tap Keyboards at the very top.
![Tap Add New Keyboard.]()
- Tap Add New Keyboard.
![Select the keyboard that matches the language you downloaded in step 4.]()
- Select the keyboard that matches the language you downloaded in step 4.
![Now swipe down from to open Spotlight Search. If you see the Control Center instead, try swiping from the middle of the screen and start about an inch below your front camera.]()
- Leave the Settings app and swipe down from the top of your screen to open Spotlight Search. If you see the Control Center instead, try swiping from the middle of the screen, starting about an inch below your front camera.
![Leave the Settings app and swipe down from to open Spotlight Search. If you see the Control Center instead, try swiping from the middle of the screen and start about an inch below your front camera.]()
- Tap on the globe icon in the very bottom left corner.
![Tap on the globe icon in the very bottom left corner.]()
- You’ll see your new language keyboard show up.
![You’ll see your new language keyboard show up.]()
- Search as you normally would in that language.
![Search as you normally would in that language.]()
Now you know how to use other languages in Spotlight Search and do a quick dictionary change to search in a different alphabet. Next, learn how to change the primary language on your iPhone.
